Cattle Feeding System and Shelter to Create a Controlled Environment

ABSTRACT

An improved cattle feeding system and shelter. The shelter has a building foundation frame extending upwardly from the ground with an awning frame extending upwardly from the foundation frame and over it. This allows for an awning to be placed over the shelter frame to at least partially enclose it. The awning has a portion which is optionally opened to selectively allow air ventilation or catching the warmth of a southern sun exposure. The shelter has a drover&#39;s alley gate configuration which may be placed within the interior of the building to help control animal movements. The entire system is built on a partial cement floor of a configuration which enhances cleanliness inside of the shelter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/128,182 filed May 28, 2008 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/370,971 filed Mar. 8, 2006 and is nowabandoned. Both documents are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a cattle feeding system and a shelter for usein that system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cattle feeding system andto a shelter used in that system to create a controlled environment thatprotects the beef animal from environmental extremes. It also is asystem which minimizes pollution risks.

Conventional open cattle feedlots have fence-line feed bunks and aconcrete apron in front of the bunk for the cattle to stand on whileeating; but, the rest of the dirt feedlot is open to the sun, wind,snow, rain and resulting mud and wind chill. Conventional systems do notprotect the beef animal from extreme weather stresses. The associatedstresses from the conventional beef system lead to decreased feedefficiency, lower weight-gains, disease development, and higher deathloss. In addition, the conventional system is more labor intensive,because the mud lots must be repeatedly scraped and dirt mounds built inan attempt to keep the animals out of the snow and mud. The feed bunksare in the open and unprotected from snow and rain. Snow and spoiled wetfeed must be repeatedly scooped out of the bunk to keep the bunk dry.This increases labor expense.

A larger concern for conventional cattle feeding systems is thepotential for polluting the environment with manure runoff from the openlots after a rain or snow melt. The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) is enforcing new rules to prevent the pollution of streams andditches next to conventional cattle feedlots and is requiring expensivecontainment basins or lagoons to be built to prevent run off from openfeedlots. The result of lagoons and containment basins is the creationof an odor problem from the breakdown of the liquid manure that iscontained in them. Consequently, the solution to water pollution createsair pollution. This trade off of one type of pollution for another isnot acceptable.

As a result of many of these difficulties the cattle feeding businesshas moved away from the Midwest farm belt for among other reasons, inorder to avoid the weather extremes since it is known that these weatherextremes cause energy expenditure by the cattle and therefore decreasefeed efficiency. For example, research at Kansas State University andthe University of Nebraska has found that cattle that are in mud havewet hair and they are out of their thermo neutral temperature zone andthus have significantly lower rates of gain and poorer feed efficiency.Thermo neutral zone, as used herein, refers to a dry air area in forexample a barn, that is within the range of 80° F. to 19° F. with theanimals having dry hair. Within this range there is 15% better weightgain and feed efficiency. Disease is also notably lacking.

By way of example of the importance of the thermo neutral zone, as ageneral rule for every 4-8 inches of mud, weight gain is slowed by 14%and feed efficiency decreased by 13%. Severe conditions with mud 8-12inches deep will decrease the gain and feed efficiency by 25% or more.In some instances cattle weight gain and feed efficiency has been cut inhalf by extreme muddy conditions.

In situations where the hair coat becomes wet cattle lose the ability toinsulate themselves and as a result their maintenance requirementsincrease dramatically. Wind chill from the strong prevailing northwestwinds also dramatically increases the animal's energy requirements.

The thermo neutral temperature zone is known to be the area or range oftemperatures for maximum weight gain and feed efficiency. It also is therange of greatest comfort for cattle.

If the Midwest wishes to reestablish itself as the center for cattlefeeding and finishing, there is a need for a successful structure thatwill maintain the cattle with dry hair generally within their thermoneutral temperature zone, i.e., between 80° F. on the upper end and 19°F. on the lower end. If the animals have wet hair the lower end thermalneutral zone temperature raises from 19° F. to 60° F. which dramaticallyincreases energy requirements.

Certain types of systems have been developed in the past in an attemptto control climate and environment for cattle feeding systems. See forexample, Slack, U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,191, which relates to a light andclimate control system for prestressed fabric structures of the typehaving a plurality of arches in order to create certain zones within theshelter of controlled environment. There is, however, no control offeeding or design to eliminate or minimize manure and air pollution oris there adjustability to weather extremes. Bunger, U.S. Pat. No.4,222,347, relates to a more permanent animal shelter for large scalefeed operations involving a specifically designed roof and louversection with ventilation areas and use of interior feeding troughs. Thistoo does nothing to eliminate some of the water and air pollution risk,nor does it allow flexibility of change in shelter structure to reflectchange in environmental condition. It can therefore be seen by these twoexamples alone that there is a continuing need for improvement in largecattle feeding systems and shelters used in those systems to create acontrolled environment depending upon the weather conditions, and tominimize pollution risk of both liquid and air pollution.

In the past, many types of structures have been suggested for increasedefficiency. However the structure must not only work to maintain thecattle within the thermo neutral temperature range in dry comfortableair, but it also must be economical to build. For example, a 300-headbarn that is of a conventional mono-slope barn construction runs about$700/head. A slatted floor confinement barn runs about $1,000/head forthe same size herd. The present units of this invention, depending uponwhether the farmer builds them himself or has help, range from $230/headfor a 300-head barn to $330/head. Nearly half as much as conventionalmono-slope barn at their very highest. Moreover they are more efficientthan either mono-slope barns or slatted floors at maintaining dry airand a temperature in the thermo neutral zone.

A primary objective of the present invention is to develop a beef systemthat may be used to feed cattle in a controlled environment within theirthermo neutral zone without the associated pollution of water and airthat conventional cattle feeding systems create with their manurerunoff.

Another objective of the present invention is to develop such a systemwhich allows the walls of the shelter to be modified from opened toclosed to partially closed positions and from positions providing shadeprotection to no shade protection, all in order to appropriately respondto seasonal climate changes as needed for the comfort of the cattledwelling within the shelter.

A yet further objective of the present invention is to provide a cattlefeeding system and a shelter which can be built relatively inexpensivelyin comparison with other units presently available commercially butwhich provides variable climate adjustments to maintain dry air, andherd cleanliness and comfort.

Simulating cattle feeding in a controlled environment is not an easyendeavor. Particularly in the Mid-West climates, which may typicallyrange from winter wind chills approaching −35° F. to summer heat indexesof +114° F. Accordingly, it is a further objective of the presentinvention to provide a controlled environment that will modify theextreme weather fluctuations to a thermo neutral environment where thebeef animal can thrive.

Open cattle feedlots are further complicated with humane animalhusbandry criteria, such as providing access to bedding to provide a drycomfortable area for the cattle to lie on and to be protected from thesun, cold, wind, rain and mud. Accordingly, an even further objective ofthe present invention is to provide a cattle-feeding system thatincorporates general humane, on farm husbandry standards for cattle.

Open cattle feedlots are often used by large commercial feedlots. Theselarge feedlots are not typically inclined to use a controlledenvironment. A family farmer who owns the cattle, depends upon the farmfor his/her livelihood, and provides the daily physical labor to managethe cattle and farm operation; such a person is more likely to adoptcontrolled environment, humane on-farm husbandry. Accordingly, it is astill further objective of the present invention to provide acattle-feeding system, which may be easily adapted for a family farm, sothat the family farm may generate a good and profitable livelihood.

Conventional cattle feeding systems usually have several hundred cattlein a pen and may not have adequate bunk and water space so that cattle,a herd animal, can all have easy access to water and feed. Accordingly,yet another objective of the present invention is to provide adequatespace requirements for cattle if they are not in an open feedlot areabut in an enclosed building structure. The present system generallyprovides 40 square feet per animal, with the feed bunk and waterincluded, which is double the space of many current confined feedingsystems on slatted floors.

It is a further objective to provide a system and shelter having aplanned gated space area that allows a drover's alley so that the cattlecan be conveniently penned in one area and the drover's alley cleanedeasily all at once by simply moving a skid loader or appropriate workingtool down through the shelter. Thereafter the drover's alley gates areopened and the cattle then allowed free access again to the drover'salley and the feeding area bunks.

A yet further objective of the present invention is to provide a shelterthat has a north facing wall air gap that works in combination with thechimney vent space down through the roof middle (the long axis of theshelter known as a Chimney Vent or split) function together to keep airflowing up and out of the shelter that is therefore dry and avoids theefficiency bad weight gain affects (weight loss) of the adverse weatherand high relative humidity.

Put simply, the shelter and system of the present invention provides themost cattle comfort, and the greatest feed efficiency and weight gain atthe lowest cost. This is one of the most important objectives of theinvention.

These and other objectives will become apparent from the followingdetailed written description of the invention, including the preferredembodiment and best mode of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an improved cattle feedingsystem and shelter are provided that maintains the cattle within theirthermo neutral zones, year around. The shelter has a building foundationframe extending upwardly from the ground with an awning frame extendingupwardly from the foundation frame and over it. The awning frame allowsfor an awning to be placed over it to at least partially enclose theshelter. The awning has a portion which is optionally opened to thesouth and optionally opened to the north to selectively allow airventilation, wind protection or catching the warmth of a southern sunexposure. A horizontal opening at times called a Chimney Vent is in themiddle of the roof and functions with the north wall air gap to provideventilation and dry air. The awning frame has a portion that extendsoutwardly to the south over the foundation frame to support anextendable and retractable awning that may hang over the south facingfoundation frame to provide shade or be drawn up in a retracted positionto allow the sun to enter for warmth. Vertically extendable andretractable awning closures are over the east and west ends of the frameto form selectively open and close entrances and exits. The entiresystem is built on a partial cement floor and a deep bedded area over alimestone pack in a configuration which enhances cleanliness inside ofthe shelter and minimizes pollution outside of the shelter. The feedbunk boards are held in a unique bracket system that allows easy repairand replacement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a normally south facing side of a cattlefeeding shelter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the south wall of the shelter of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the east facing end looking throughand out the south facing end.

FIG. 4 is an end view looking through the shelter from east to westshowing the north end enclosed and the south end open.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the normally south facing wall andshowing the associated animal feed bunker, as well as the east end.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the awning frame extension over thenormally south facing wall.

FIG. 7 shows a close-up end view of the details of the normally southfacing retractable awning's frame.

FIG. 8 is a section through the normally north facing wall showing howit assists in ventilation.

FIG. 9 shows the bunk bracket configuration.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the drover's alley configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The beef shelter system of the present invention creates a controlledenvironment that incorporates and utilizes the cattle's natural behaviorand herd instincts. These behaviors and instincts include:

-   -   to seek shade away from summer sun;    -   to seek out wind protection to prevent wind chill;    -   to keep their hair coats dry (no snow or chilling rain);    -   to stay off frozen lumpy ground (no bruised hooves and        lameness);    -   to stay out of the mud (no foot rot or hair damage);    -   to lie down on a dry bedding pack (no bruising or pressure        sores);    -   to have easy access to feed;    -   to have easy access to water;    -   to be free from flies;    -   to stay in small groups;    -   to seek a quiet protected area to rest and ruminate;    -   to seek a concrete free area to stand (prevent hoof and leg        stress); and    -   to seek to defecate and urinate away from feed and water.

The shelter system has a roof over the entire cattle feeding area toprevent manure runoff resulting from rainfall or snow melt.

Certain constructional and operational features, both individually andin various combinations, are worthy of specific mention beforedescribing in detail the specific construction shown in the drawings.These features emphasize the flexible uses of the system.

According to one feature of the invention, the system provides a roofover the entire cattle feeding area so that the manure can be handled ina dry state to prevent odor and runoff that are a result of liquidmanure. The system also provides a roof over the entire cattle feedingarea to provide shade from the summer sun and also provides a roof overthe entire cattle feeding area to keep the cattle free from rain andsnow to keep their hair coat dry. The system roof also prevents the wetconditions that contribute to hatching of fly eggs and the resultant flyproblems for the cattle and the surrounding area. The system also uses adesigned naturally ventilation air flow caused by a chimney split in theroof cover and a draft gap in the normally north facing wall. Thisresults in removal of moist air and replacement with dry air.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it is worthy tonote the structure does not have to be heated or insulated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the framestructure is placed 10′ above the floor on 6″×6″×14′ posts anchored 4′in the ground. This allows for maximum ventilation and freedom frommoisture condensing on the ceiling.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the framestructure as installed normally runs east and west in length and is opento the south. This allows the winter sun to stream in on the open 10′high south side. This allows the cattle to stand in the warm sunshineand keeps the 12′ concrete pad along the feed bunk from freezing. In thesummer time with the sun in its north axis, the cattle have completeshade and the 10′ high south opening allows maximum ventilation.

Preferably, the frame system has a 5′ rollup curtain on the west, northand east side that is down in the winter to prevent wind chill, androlled up in the summer to allow maximum air movement due to VenturiEffect to prevent heat stress.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system has aone foot opening in the top of the roof of the building (i.e. chimneysplit) to allow the heat and moisture to vent out the top. This willprevent steam and moisture from collecting in the hoop frame structure,especially when used with the normally north facing wall draft gap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the shelter has a4′ awning as part of the roof on the south side that extends out overthe feed bunk to prevent snow and rain from falling in the bunk andspoiling feed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the shelter hastwo 16′ wide×14′ high rollup doors located on the west and east side ofthe building. This allows easy access to the structure for bedding thepens and for cleaning the pens.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system uses steel 5′ high double gate pipe gates to safelyseparate pens of cattle and to allow easy access to move cattle into andout of the structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system has water tanks located in the structure so that allcattle have easy access to protected water.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system has pens that are 80′ wide to keep the cattle in small 80head groups.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system provides 1′ of bunk space for each animal and the bunk is3′ wide to allow adequate feed capacity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system provide a 6″ high step in front of the feed bunk toprevent dunging in the bunk. As well the feed bunk uses a unique bracketsystem to allow easy board replacement, if needed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system provides a 4′ wide area of concrete that slopes away fromfeed bunk with a 2″ slope that allows the cattle hoof action to scrapethe manure down to the 8′ level adjoining concrete slab.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system provides an 8′ wide area of level concrete between the 4′sloped concrete and the dry bedding pack. This level concrete (Drover'sAlley) is easily cleaned with a tractor scraper to keep manure frombuilding up in the structure. This concrete pad is scraped clean and themanure is removed from the building to the compost pile about once every10 days. The Drover's Alley pen gating (see FIG. 10) and the rollupdoors on the ends of the structure allow this to be a very easy oneperson procedure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system uses 2⅜″ pipe as bunk headers to allow cattle safe accessto the feed bunk.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system uses 1″ sucker rod located 1′ above the bunk header pipeto prevent cattle from jumping over and into the feed bunk.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system uses Ag lime #3 to be placed over the 24′ wide groundarea 4″ deep to seal the ground from manure penetration and to act as amoisture barrier to keep the bedding pack dry.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system uses straw, corn stover and bean stover as bedding abovethe limestone layer.

Approximately one half of a 1200# round bale of bedding is required foreach animal during a 100 day feeding period.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system's bedding pack is removed with a front end loader aftereach pen of cattle have been marketed. The bedding pack will make a drycompost and can be stacked outside the structure in a compost pile untilthe farmer has crop ground available to spread the dry odor freefertilizer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hoop frameshelter system uses the bedding compost pile to compost any dead animalas fly-free, odor-free compost that can later be spread on crop groundas composted fertilizer.

Each of the previously discussed features and aspects are variableoptions that can be used singly or in combination with some or all ofthe other mentioned features to provide maximum operator flexibility toassure dry animals maintained in their thermo neutral zone to achievemaximum weight gain and feed efficiency.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings by character reference,FIG. 1 discloses the animal shelter 10 looking at a perspective view ofthe south facing side. The shelter 10 is generally positioned on theground 12 and comprises a wooden foundation perimeter frame 14 which hasspaced apart frame beams 16 extending upwardly from the ground about10′. Frame posts or beams 16 are anchored 4′ into the ground. This 10′spacing allows for maximum ventilation and freedom from moisturecondensing on the ceiling. A one foot opening 46 a in the top of roof(chimney split) in the center of the building is to allow the heat andmoisture to vent out the top, as later explained in conjunction withFIG. 8.

Frame beams or posts 16 have a hoop awning structure frame 18 extendingfrom the south side up and across over to the north side correspondingframe beams 16. Covering 19 is extended over the awning frame andsecured to it by any suitable means such as ties, snaps, hooks, etc. Thecovering 19 is flexible, non metal and can be a natural material such ascanvas or flexible polymer plastics like polyvinyl chloride, polyester,coated or uncoated. Wooden frame 14 is anchored to a substantially flat(on the interior portion) cement floor or concrete slab 20. In apreferred embodiment, concrete slab 20 has an interior flat portion andextends to a sloped interior portion 22 which terminates in a stepped upexterior flat portion 24. Preferably this step is 6″ (see FIG. 2). Thisprevents animals from defecating into the feed box or bunker 26 asearlier explained. Feed bunker 26 is attached to the exterior portion offrame beams 16 along the outside of the beams. In this manner, animals28 inside of the shelter 10 can stick their heads out facing south andfeed from the feed bunker 26 (see FIG. 4).

Again looking at the south side (see FIG. 6), the awning frame 30extends out from the awning hoop structure 18 and over the feed bunker26. The awning 32 positioned on awning frame 30 is a 4′ awning whichactually is part of the roof on the south side and extends over the feedbunk to prevent snow and rain from falling in the feed bunk and spoilingfeed. Awning frame 30 has support stints 36 and 38. In the summer theawning 32 also functions to provide shade. In the winter, it may berolled up to provide sun into the south side for warmth. The north sidealso has a vertical rollup cover 39 positioned vertically up to the 10′level which may be rolled or unrolled selectively to provide warmth whenit is down and ventilation when it is up. The east and west ends havetwo 16′ wide by 14′ high rollup doors 40 and 42 to allow easy access tothe structure. Bedding material (not depicted) may be placed on thelimestone floor 45. The doors 40 and 42 may be rolled up for scooping orcleaning with a front end loader after each pen of cattle has been sentto market. Scooped out bedding material will make a dry compost that canbe stacked outside of the structure for a compost pile available tospread on crop ground.

Certain constructional features relating to the position of the shelter10 on the ground are worthy of consideration and mentioned herein. Asseen in FIG. 2, agricultural limestone 45 is placed over a 24′ wideground area 4′ deep in the building to seal the ground from manurepenetration and to act as a moisture barrier to keep the bedding packdry. The system uses straw, corn stover, and bean stover as beddingabove the limestone layer. Bunk header pipe 46 is attached to frameposts 16 to allow cattle safe access to the feed bunk 26, and sucker rod48 is positioned about one foot above header pipe 46 to prevent cattleinto the feed bunk 26. Crushed rock 44 is placed 10 ft wide in front ofbunk for a feed truck to drive on to deliver feed to the feed bunk 26.

The normally north facing wall is best seen in perspective in FIG. 3. Asectional view through it is shown in FIG. 8 to illustrate the draft gap(see arrow 50). In operation, fresh air hitting the north wall is sweptthrough the draft gap along the line of directional arrow 50. Onceinside it is swept up and through chimney split 46 due to the ChimneyDraw Effect. Air coming into the large opening 46B creates air movementto smaller opening 46A due to the Venturi Effect of air picking up speedfrom a large opening to a small opening.

One standing near the north facing wall can feel the strong air intakedraft. This performs several important functions. First, any moist orsteam-like air is swept up and out chimney split 46A. Secondly, dry airis swept inside the structure along the draft gap (see arrow 50). Third,the animals stay within the thermo neutral temperature zone and out ofany wind chill, and fourth, the interior is kept dry due to the aircirculation.

Water is removed from the surface of the Earth to the atmosphere by twodistinct mechanisms: evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation can bedefined as the process where liquid water is transformed into a gaseousstate. Transpiration is the process of water loss from plants throughstomata. Stomata are small openings found on the underside of leavesthat are connected to vascular plant tissues. In most plants,transpiration is a passive process largely controlled by the humidity ofthe atmospheric and the moisture content of the soil.

It is often difficult to distinguish between evaporation andtranspiration. So we use composite term Evapotranspiration. The rate ofEvapotranspiration at any instant from the Earth's surface is controlledby four factors:

-   -   Energy availability. The more energy available the greater the        rate of Evapotranspiration. It takes about 600 calories of heat        energy to change 1 gram of liquid water into a gas.    -   The humidity gradient away from the surface. The rate and        quantity of water vapor entering into the atmosphere both become        higher in drier air.    -   The wind speed immediately above the surface. Many of us have        observed that our gardens need more watering on windy days        compared to calm days when temperatures are similar. This fact        occurs because wind increases the potential evapotranspiration.        The process of evapotranspiration moves water vapor from ground        or water surfaces to an adjacent shallow layer that is only a        few centimeters thick. When this layer becomes saturated        evapotranspiration stops. However, wind can remove this layer        replacing it with drier air which increases the potential for        evapotranspiration.    -   Water availability. Evapotranspiration cannot occur if water is        not available.

Evapotranspiration Rate for any specific area of the United States maybe found on the D.T.N. Ag Weather forecast by entering City, State andZip Code. The Evapotranspiration Rate depends on temperature, relativehumidity and wind speed. The rate is expressed per day in inches ofmoisture removed. The average range in the Evapotranspiration Rate is0.00 inches to 0.40 inches per day.

The moisture removed in the system here described that allows 40 sq. ftper animal can be calculated. For example on Sunday Oct. 15, 2006, theEvapotranspiration Rate in Northwest Iowa was 0.20 inches based on atemperature of 60° F., 40% relative humidity and a wind speed of 10miles per hour.

-   -   144 sq. inches×40×0.20=152 cubic inches of moisture        removed/head/day    -   1 cubic foot=1728 cubic inches    -   1 cubic foot=7½ gallons of water    -   1 gallon of water=230 cubic inches of water    -   1152 cubic inches of water removed divided by 230 cubic inches=5        gallons of water (0.10 Evapotranspiration Rate equals 2½ gallons        of water removed over 40 sq. ft. area). Assuming cattle drink        5-10 gallons of water per day depending on temperature and size        of cattle, 60% of that water is excreted as urine. For example,        8 gallons of water consumed×60%=4.8 gallons of urine        produced/head/day. Thus on Oct. 15, 2006 in Northwest Iowa with        an Evapotranspiration Rate of 0.20 inches the System with a        1000# animal would have been dry with more moisture removed than        excreted.

The operation of the present System is based on the EvapotranspirationRate. The Venturi Effect and the Chimney Effect will create air movementin the building even when there is no wind. This adds to the dryingeffect. The rate of drying depends on the temperature and relativehumidity. On an average day with an Evapotranspiration Rate of 20 inchesthe barn will be dry. If the rate drops below 0.20 inches the excessmoisture and manure is removed by scrapping the concrete pad with a boxscraper and adding bedding to the pack area to absorb the excessmoisture and manure.

As an estimated example in Northwest Iowa with 1000# animal one wouldexpect to scrape the pad on average every 10 days and add bedding on thesame schedule, depending on time of year and actual EvapotranspirationRate. The bedding required for a 600 head building would beapproximately 500 large round cornstalk bales per year depending on sizeof animals and the Evapotranspiration Rate for the specific location.

FIG. 9 shows the details of the feed bunk brackets 52, illustrated alongthe front of feed bunker 26. Bracket 52 is comprised of a base 54 whichbolts or anchors to a concrete slab. At its outer end base 54 isattached to an upright post 56, angularly disposed from the inner end ofbase 54 to the top of post 56, is angular bracket 58. Bunker boards arethen slid into to angular bracket 58. They may be conveniently removedas needed for replacement boards.

FIG. 10 is a top schematic view of the drover's alley configurationwhich may be placed within the interior of the building in order tocontrol animal 28 movements. As shown there is one or more permanentperimeter fences 60 spaced apart and extending lengthwise which dividethe interior into dry bedding pack zones 62 a, 62 b and cement floorcovered drover's alleys 64 a, 64 b with double hinged gates 66, 68. Thegates 66, 68 are mounted between the permanent fences 60 with each gatehaving a hinged attachment end 66 a and a distal end 66 b. The hingedattachment ends 66 a are positioned in close proximity with each otherto allow each gate 66, 68 to independently rotate through generally thesame space so that each gate 66, 68 has a first position wherein thegate 66, 68 forms a barrier with one of the first permanent fences 60, asecond position wherein the gate 66, 68 forms a barrier with thefoundation frame 14, and a third position wherein the gate 66, 68 formsa barrier with the other permanent fence 60. The gates 66, 68 may beclosed and interior confined dry bedding zone 62 shut off or opened toallow access to drover's alley 64. A barrier such as fence 70 is locatedbetween perimeter fences 60 and is used to help divide adjacent beddingzones 62 a, 62 b. As a result animals may be confined in dry beddingareas 62 a, 62 b while the drover's alley 641, 64 b is convenientlycleared by a working tool such as a blade, front end loader or the like.After cleaning the double hinged gates 66, 68 may be opened to allowcattle access to the feed bunk area adjacent the drover's alleys 64 a,64 b.

It can therefore be seen that the hoop frame system creates a controlledenvironment. The hoop frame system has a roof providing protection fromthe weather elements. The system has rollup curtains for ventilation insummer and they are rolled down for protection from wind chill inwinter. The system has feed bunks, water, bedding pack and a concretescrape alley under one roof. The system has gating and rollup doors toallow access for bedding, cleaning and moving cattle. The methodutilizes the steps in a hoop frame system that promotes cattle toutilize their natural instincts to seek shade, to seek out windprotection, to keep their hair coat dry, to stay off frozen lumpyground, to lie down on a dry bedding pack, to stay in small groups andto seek a quiet protected area to ruminate and rest. The hoop frameshelter system allows cattle to be fed in a controlled environmentwithout the associated pollution of water and air that open feedlotscreate with manure runoff from rain and snow melt. It therefore can beseen it accomplishes all of its intended objects.

Having thus described the invention in connection with the preferredembodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art thatvarious revisions can be made to the preferred embodiments describedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Itis my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications thatare evident to those skilled in the art will be included within thescope of the following claims.

1. A feed lot shelter to be positioned on the ground for confinedanimals having an interior configuration for helping to control themovement of animals, said shelter comprising: a building foundationframe extending upwardly from the ground; a roof combined with thefoundation frame, said roof at least partially enclosing said shelter; apermanent fence extending generally longitudinally under the roof forhelping to divide a dry bedding pack zone and a drover's alley; a feedbunk area adjacent to the drover's alley; two double hinged gates, eachgate having a hinged attachment end and a distal end, wherein the hingedattachment ends are positioned in close proximity with each other toallow each gate to independently pivot through generally the same space,and wherein each gate has a first position wherein it forms a barrierwith the permanent fence preventing access between the dry bedding packzone and the drover's alley and a second position providing accessbetween the dry bedding pack zone and the drover's alley.
 2. A feed lotshelter to be positioned on the ground for confined animals having aninterior configuration for helping to control the movement of animals,said shelter comprising: a building foundation frame extending upwardlyfrom the ground; a roof combined with the foundation frame, said roof atleast partially enclosing said shelter; a first permanent fence forhelping to divide a first dry bedding pack zone and a first drover'salley; a second permanent fence spaced apart from and generally parallelto the first permanent fence, said second permanent fence for helping todivide a second dry bedding pack zone and a second drover's alley; afeed bunk area adjacent to the first and second drover's alley; twodouble hinged gates mounted between the permanent fences, each gatehaving a hinged attachment end and a distal end, wherein the hingedattachment ends are positioned in close proximity with each other toallow each gate to independently pivot through generally the same space,and wherein each gate has a first position wherein it forms a barrierwith the permanent fence preventing access between the dry bedding packzone and the drover's alley and a second position providing accessbetween the dry bedding pack zone and the drover's alley.
 3. A feed lotshelter to be positioned on the ground for confined animals having aninterior configuration for helping to control the movement of animals,said shelter comprising: a building foundation frame extending upwardlyfrom the ground; a roof combined with the foundation frame, said roof atleast partially enclosing said shelter; a first permanent fence forhelping to divide a first dry bedding pack zone and a first drover'salley; a second permanent fence spaced apart from and generally parallelto the first permanent fence, said second permanent fence for helping todivide a second dry bedding pack zone and a second drover's alley; twodouble hinged gates mounted between the permanent fences, each gatehaving a hinged attachment end and a distal end, wherein the hingedattachment ends are positioned in close proximity with each other toallow each gate to pivot through generally the same space, and whereineach gate is adapted to move independent from the other gate between afirst position wherein the gate forms a barrier with the first permanentfence, a second position wherein the gate forms a barrier with thefoundation frame, and a third position wherein the gate forms a barrierwith the second permanent fence.
 4. The shelter of claim 3 furthercomprising a feed bunk area adjacent to the drover's alley.
 5. A feedlot shelter to be positioned on the ground for confined animals havingan interior configuration for helping to control the movement ofanimals, said shelter comprising: a building foundation frame extendingupwardly from the ground; a roof combined with the foundation frame,said roof at least partially enclosing said shelter; a first permanentfence for helping to divide a first dry bedding pack zone and a firstdrover's alley; a second permanent fence spaced apart from and generallyparallel to the first permanent fence, said second permanent fence forhelping to divide a second dry bedding pack zone and a second drover'salley; two double hinged gates mounted between the permanent fences,each gate having a hinged attachment end and a distal end, wherein thehinged attachment ends are positioned in close proximity with each otherto allow each gate to pivot through generally the same space, andwherein each gate is adapted to move independent from the other gatebetween a first position wherein the gate forms a barrier with the firstpermanent fence, a second position wherein the gate forms a barrier withthe foundation frame, and a third position wherein the gate forms abarrier with the second permanent fence; a third permanent fencein-between and generally perpendicular to the first and second permanentfence to help divide the first dry bedding pack zone from the second drybedding pack zone, said third permanent fence have a first end forming abarrier with the foundation frame and a second end extending toward thehinged attachment ends of the gates.
 6. The shelter of claim 5 furthercomprising a feed bunk area adjacent to the drover's alley.